President Donald Trump’s push to open 401(k) retirement plans to private equity, cryptocurrency, real estate, and other high-risk assets comes as many Black Americans are already facing new threats to their long-term financial security.

Recent mass cuts to the federal workforce — where Black Americans make up just under 20% compared to roughly 13% of the civilian workforce — have disrupted what has long been a source of stable jobs and reliable retirement benefits. Meanwhile, prices on consumer goods have continued to rise while the value of the dollar has dropped more than 10% this year.

Now, Trump’s executive order directs the Labor Department to rewrite its rules within 180 days to make alternative investments a standard 401(k) option, while instructing the Securities and Exchange

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